The decision to offer the BRZ coupe means Subaru has abandoned its all-wheel-drive-only brand positioning – albeit for only one model.

Having spent more than 10 years convincing Australians that driving only two wheels was inferior, Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior admits the decision was a tough one.

“We have been an exclusively all-wheel-drive car company since 1997, so the decision to import the Subaru BRZ was not taken lightly,” says Senior.

“It’s a driver’s car, so is in keeping with our fun to drive philosophy,” he says. “Secondly, the testing and development we have undertaken for the Australian market has left me in no doubt that this is a Subaru specifically for our unique Australian conditions.

“Thirdly, we have been overwhelmed by the response to the BRZ since its unveiling in Tokyo,” he says, claiming buyers have been “pleading” for the car to come.

Buyers are apparently so keen to get their hands on the BRZ that the first example has already been sold – even though Subaru has not yet confirmed how much it will cost.